Pick your way through Valdosta
Peaches, pecans and berry picking. Oh my! If you love fresh, local produce and exploring wide open spaces, then pack up the car and head to Valdosta. From quaint main streets to u-pick plantations, Lowndes County offers a way for visitors to slow down long enough to appreciate all that nature has to offer.
In fact, Valdosta is the perfect place to begin an exploration of the Georgia Grown Trail on Highway 41. This vibrant corridor winds through miles of family farms in South Georgia, with Valdosta resting firmly at its root. Here, you'll find local markets, produce stands, u-pick farms and farm-to-table restaurants that utilize fresh, local produce grown right here in Valdosta and surrounding areas. Here are a few stops to make along the way as you pick your way through Valdosta's countryside. It won't take you long to see why we've added the ahhh.
South Georgia
Pecan Co.
You can't drive past Valdosta without sampling our pecans. We're located right in the heart of Georgia pecan country and South Georgia Pecan Co. has been selling these irresistible nuts since 1913. With four processing plants located around the Valdosta area, the company grades and shells pecans, selling them simply roasted or in more gourmet preparations including chocolate amaretto. Stop by one of their two gift shops and bring home a taste of the South. You'll go nuts for the different pecan options as well as their locally-made jams, chutneys, pickles and fresh pecan pies. And don't worry, you can feed your addiction anytime by ordering online.
Raisin' Cane
We're raisin' the bar on fresh local produce here in Valdosta. Come experience our rich farming heritage at Raisin' Cane, a family-owned farm & market where you can purchase the freshest Georgia grown seasonal produce directly from the source. Stop by for locally made goodies and gifts, stay for lunch or grab a Southern take-and-bake item to go. To get the full Raisin' Cane experience, visit in the fall when sugar cane is harvested and fresh syrup is made. Be sure to check out our events page to plan your trip around one of our annual festivals.
Mallory's Farm
Locally owned and locally loved! Mallory's Farm has been a Valdosta staple for more than a century, being passed down from generation to generation. Today, Tony and Shirley Mallory have created a destination for seasonal family fun. Stop by in the summer months for u-pick, pesticide-free blueberries by the gallon. Ask any local and they'll tell you to pick extra so you can freeze them for making summer-fresh recipes throughout the winter like blueberry pie, blueberry scones and blueberry muffins.
Farmer Brown's
Produce Market
Equal parts farmers market and grocery store, Farmer Brown's sells only the freshest produce by the pound or the case. Locals love their well-stocked dairy case featuring fresh eggs and cheeses produced by area farmers and Southern specialties such as apple butter, Tupelo honey, and pickled okra line the market's shelves. If you visit In the fall, seasonal corn stalks and pumpkins decorate the market giving it a autumn harvest touch. But year-round, you can count on Georgia's finest seasonal peaches, peanuts and produce to be waiting for you.
GTB Farms
On your mark, get set, pick! Let the kids loose at GTB Farms , a u-pick grower that offers fresh seasonal produce by the bucket. Every spring, the strawberry harvest draws families from all over the area to get the kids away from the screens and into the fields. Load up on a gallon of juicy strawberries for just $10. During the long South Georgia growing season, families enjoy picking tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, peas, watermelons, cantaloupe, corn, eggplant, and okra. You can fill up a 5-gallon bucket for only $12. There's nothing more fun than picking your own produce and using it to create delicious family meals around the table together. Enjoy!